SERDP and ESTCP have been developing treatment technologies for PFAS-impacted matrices since 2011. Treatment technologies under development are primarily focused on groundwater and soils and include a wide variety of different physical, chemical, and biological processes. Six broad treatment categories of particular focus include: thermal treatment, treatment of investigation-derived waste (IDW), biodegradation, in situ groundwater treatment, development of new sorbents, and the impact of co-occurring chemicals.

SERDP and ESTCP researchers are joined in a concerted effort to improve sampling and analysis for PFAS in environmental matrices. Projects focus on developing passive sampling methodologies, improving total organic fluorine (TOF) measurement, and developing a forensics approach to understanding PFAS in the environment.

Individual PFAS have been found to negatively affect autotrophic and heterotrophic food webs, but more data is needed to understand the toxicity of PFAS mixtures outside of PFOS and PFOA. Whether these other compounds are toxic, contribute additive or synergistic toxicity, or do not significantly contribute to toxicity remains largely unknown. SERDP and ESTCP efforts to close knowledge gaps in ecotoxicity and ecological risk will aid in the development of appropriate site-specific risk assessments and help in decision-making related to mitigation of exposures, including future environmental cleanup. Current projects are addressing impacts of PFAS to several species, including but not limited to avian, mammalian, and reptilian species.